Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the LordAbbott, Edwin Abbott
Religion
Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord
Abbott, Edwin Abbott
Christian fiction; Jesus Christ -- Fiction
“Then when the people perceived that he would leave them, they cried out
even louder than before, and threw dust in the air and poured it upon
their heads; and some threw themselves on the ground in his path for to
stay him; and some also spared not threatening. But Jesus took no heed
thereof, but went still onward with his eyes fast set upon the ground;
till one thrust himself before the rest, crying aloud and saying that they
would do more for John dead than for Jesus living, and that it was better
for a man to lose his life, as John the Prophet had lost it, than to save
his life as Jesus desired to save it. Thereat Jesus stayed for an instant,
and lifted his eyes from the ground; howbeit not in anger, but rather as
he is wont to do (for thou well knowest his manner) whensoever he heareth
a Voice of God. But when all the people shouted again, supposing that he
had been bent from his purpose, then Jesus beckoned with the hand, and
when he had commanded silence, he spake briefly unto them, and said the
hour was not yet come; and so he departed.
“Now,” said Baruch, “while Jesus was speaking to the people, and even
afterwards while he was in the sight of the people, it was a marvellous
thing to see how still they were; for he hath a power over the hearts of
the people so that when he is present no one dare move his tongue against
him. But as soon as the boat had rowed away and they could see him no
more, straightway Barabbas and his friends began to curse and swear; and
they said that they would never again ask aught of Jesus, nor place any
faith in him. James the son of Judas said little, but his mind seemed to
be the same. For this cause therefore all the Galileans are incensed
against Jesus; insomuch that, whereas they had begun to rate him far above
John, they now esteem the memory of John more than the presence of Jesus.”
After this, Baruch began to advise me to sever myself from Jesus and to
return to my home at Sepphoris, for, said he, “He hath the Pharisees for
his enemies; and the richer sort are also estranged from him; and it is
commonly reported that Herod the Tetrarch seeketh to slay him with the
sword; and now behold, even the Galileans are turned away from him. Now
therefore be persuaded, and come back with me to the house of my father
Manasseh, and tarry with us for the night, and refresh thyself, and on the
morrow set forth for thy home.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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